magnetically-assisted-remote-controlled-microcatheter-tip-deflection

Magnetically-Assisted Remote Controlled Microcatheter Tip Deflection under Magnetic Resonance Imaging

X-ray fluoroscopy-guided  endovascular procedures have several significant limitations, including  difficult catheter navigation and use of ionizing ...

Obesity, a national epidemic, is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the US. Pharmacists can play an integral role in weight management. Offering weight management services provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of pharmaceutical care and attract patients to pharmacy programs.

Implementation of a weight management pharmaceutical care service.

Offender patients at a psychiatric security hospital were classified as primary or secondary psychopaths or as conforming or inhibited non-psychopaths, and compared on a Situations-Reactions Inventory of Hostility. Prior factor analysis of this inventory indicated two classes of situation, labelled attack and frustration, and three classes of reaction - aggression, anger, and arousal. Psychopathic subjects generally rated their reactions as more intense but differed significantly from non-psychopaths only in their response to attack. Secondary psychopaths produced the most intense reactions, but differed from primary psychopaths in reporting greater somatic arousal. The results suggest that psychopaths as a group more readily interpret provocation or threats from others as unwarranted attack. It is proposed that an attributional bias towards perceiving malevolent intent may be central to psychopathy.

Reactions of primary and secondary psychopaths to anger-evoking situations.

Estrogens can regulate germ cell function. Estrogen action is mediated via high affinity ERs; two subtypes (ERalpha and ERbeta) have been identified. We have shown previously that ERbeta is expressed in nuclei of multiple human testicular cells. A variant isoform of human (h) ERbeta (hERbetacx/2), formed by alternative splicing, has been identified in testicular cDNA libraries by two laboratories. The present study examined the expression of wild-type (ERbeta1) and variant (ERbeta2) beta receptors in human testes by 1) RT-PCR with isoform specific primers, and 2) single and double immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies raised against peptides unique to the C termini of hERbeta1 and hERbeta2. PCR products specific for ERbeta1 and ERbeta2 were amplified from cDNA pools prepared from human testes and granulosa cells. On Western blots, the anti-ERbeta1 monoclonal antibody bound to recombinant ERbeta1 and the anti-ERbeta2 monoclonal to recombinant hERbeta2. Neither bound to the other ERbeta isoform nor to recombinant ERalpha. ERbeta1 and ERbeta2 proteins were both detected in human testis. Immunoexpression of ERbeta1 was most intense in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids, whereas low levels of expression were detected in Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, preleptotene, leptotene, zygotene, and diplotene spermatocytes. Highest levels of expression of ERbeta2 protein were detected in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia with low/variable expression in preleptotene, pachytene, and diplotene spermatocytes. No immunostaining was detected in elongating spermatids. Most interstitial cells expressed more ERbeta2 than ERbeta1. It is speculated that the cells most susceptible to modulation by estrogenic ligands are round spermatids in which levels of expression of ERbeta1 are high. In contrast, expression of ERbeta2, an isoform that may act as a dominant negative inhibitor of ER action, in Sertoli cells and spermatogonia, could protect these cells from adverse effects of estrogens.

ERbeta1 and the ERbeta2 splice variant (ERbetacx/beta2) are expressed in distinct cell populations in the adult human testis.

Estrogen action is mediated via two subtypes of the estrogen receptor (ER), usually referred to as ERalpha and ERbeta. We have previously compared the spatial and temporal expressions of ERalpha and ERbeta proteins in human endometrium and reported that endothelial cells exclusively express ERbeta. In the present study we have extended our investigations to compare the pattern of expression of wild-type (ERbeta1) and a newly identified ERbeta variant isoform (ERbetacx/beta2) that lacks the ability to bind steroids. mRNAs encoding both ERbeta1 and ERbetacx/beta2 receptors were identified in human endometrial extracts by RT-PCR. Quantitative TaqMan R-TPCR demonstrated that levels of total mRNAs were increased significantly premenstrually as circulating progesterone levels declined. ERbeta1 and ERbetacx/beta2 proteins were identified within multiple cell types within the endometrium using isotype-specific monoclonal antibodies; immunoexpression of ERbetacx/beta2 appeared less intense than that of ERbeta1 in endometrial glandular epithelium and endothelial cells. Immunoexpression of ERbeta1 appeared unchanged throughout the menstrual cycle. In contrast, levels of ERbetacx/beta2-specific immunoreactivity were specifically reduced in gland cells within the functional layer, but not in those of the basal layer, in the midsecretory phase. It is possible that coexpression of ERbetacx/beta2 in cells containing ERbeta1 and/or ERalpha may modulate the effects of estrogens on the endometrium.

Wild-type estrogen receptor (ERbeta1) and the splice variant (ERbetacx/beta2) are both expressed within the human endometrium throughout the normal menstrual cycle.

Liver regeneration may be impaired in acute liver failure due to either inhibition of the proliferative response or ongoing liver cell death. Activin A, a member of the TGFbeta superfamily, inhibits hepatocyte DNA synthesis and induces apoptosis.

Activin A and follistatin in acute liver failure.

This article describes the background, development, and assessment of an Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University. This case study is intended to provide other colleges and schools with insights that may facilitate the relatively unproblematic development of similar programs.

Development of an office of teaching, learning and assessment in a pharmacy school.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is unsurpassed in its ability to non-destructively probe chemical identity. Portable, low-cost NMR sensors would enable on-site identification of potentially hazardous substances, as well as the study of samples in a variety of industrial applications. Recent developments in RF microcoil construction (i.e. coils much smaller than the standard 5mm NMR RF coils), have dramatically increased NMR sensitivity and decreased the limits-of-detection (LOD). We are using advances in laser pantographic microfabrication techniques, unique to LLNL, to produce RF microcoils for field deployable, high sensitivity NMR-based detectors. This same fabrication technique can be used to produce imaging coils for MRI as well as for standard hardware shimming or "ex-situ" shimming of field inhomogeneities typically associated with inexpensive magnets. This paper describes a portable NMR system based on the use of a 2 kg hand-held permanent magnet, laser-fabricated microcoils, and a compact spectrometer. The main limitations for such a system are the low resolution and sensitivity associated with the low field values and quality of small permanent magnets, as well as the lack of large amounts of sample of interest in most cases. The focus of the paper is on the setting up of this system, initial results, sensitivity measurements, discussion of the limitations and future plans. The results, even though preliminary, are promising and provide the foundation for developing a portable, inexpensive NMR system for chemical analysis. Such a system will be ideal for chemical identification of trace substances on site.

Portable, low-cost NMR with laser-lathe lithography produced microcoils.

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) offers a non-destructive, powerful, structure-specific analytical method for the identification of chemical and biological systems. The use of radio frequency (RF) microcoils has been shown to increase the sensitivity in mass-limited samples. Recent advances in micro-receiver technology have further demonstrated a substantial increase in mass sensitivity [D.L. Olson, T.L. Peck, A.G. Webb, R.L. Magin, J.V. Sweedler, High-resolution microcoil H-1-NMR for mass-limited, nanoliter-volume samples, Science 270 (5244) (1995) 1967-1970]. Lithographic methods for producing solenoid microcoils possess a level of flexibility and reproducibility that exceeds previous production methods, such as hand winding microcoils. This paper presents electrical characterizations of RF microcoils produced by a unique laser lithography system that can pattern three dimensional surfaces and compares calculated and experimental results to those for wire wound RF microcoils. We show that existing optimization conditions for RF coil design still hold true for RF microcoils produced by lithography. Current lithographic microcoils show somewhat inferior performance to wire wound RF microcoils due to limitations in the existing electroplating technique. In principle, however, when the pitch of the RF microcoil is less than 100mum lithographic coils should show comparable performance to wire wound coils. In the cases of larger pitch, wire cross sections can be significantly larger and resistances lower than microfabricated conductors.

Electronic characterization of lithographically patterned microcoils for high sensitivity NMR detection.

The aim of this study was too assess magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiofrequency (RF)-related heating of conductive wire coils used in magnetically steerable endovascular catheters.

RF Heating of MRI-Assisted Catheter Steering Coils for Interventional MRI.

High-efficiency separation techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis (CE), coupled to a nondestructive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer offer the ability to separate, chemically identify, and provide structural information on analytes in small sample volumes. Previous CE-NMR coupled systems utilized laboratory-scale NMR magnets and spectrometers, which require very long separation capillaries. New technological developments in electronics have reduced the size of the NMR system, and small 1-2 T permanent magnets provide the possibilities of a truly portable NMR. The microcoils used in portable and laboratory-scale NMR may offer the advantage of improved mass sensitivity because the limit of detection (LOD) is proportional to the coil diameter. In this work, CE is coupled with a portable, briefcase-sized NMR system that incorporates a microcoil probe and a 1.8 T permanent magnet to measure (19)F NMR spectra. Separations of fluorinated molecules are demonstrated with stopped- and continuous-flow NMR detection. The results demonstrate that coupling CE to a portable NMR instrument is feasible and can provide a low-cost method to obtain structural information on microliter samples. An LOD of 31.8 nmol for perfluorotributylamine with a resolution of 4 ppm has been achieved with this system.

Portable microcoil NMR detection coupled to capillary electrophoresis.

To describe the development of a practice model with sustainable reimbursement for medication therapy management (MTM) services provided by pharmacists for beneficiaries of self-insured health care plans.

Article	Year
Implementation of a weight management pharmaceutical care service. The Annals of pharmacotherapy\| PubMed ID: 17284503	2007
Reactions of primary and secondary psychopaths to anger-evoking situations. The British journal of clinical psychology / the British Psychological Society\| PubMed ID: 4005475	1985
ERbeta1 and the ERbeta2 splice variant (ERbetacx/beta2) are expressed in distinct cell populations in the adult human testis. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism\| PubMed ID: 12050238	2002
Wild-type estrogen receptor (ERbeta1) and the splice variant (ERbetacx/beta2) are both expressed within the human endometrium throughout the normal menstrual cycle. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism\| PubMed ID: 12414901	2002
Activin A and follistatin in acute liver failure. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology\| PubMed ID: 12560755	2003
Development of an office of teaching, learning and assessment in a pharmacy school. American journal of pharmaceutical education\| PubMed ID: 17533444	2007
Portable, low-cost NMR with laser-lathe lithography produced microcoils. Journal of magnetic resonance (San Diego, Calif. : 1997)\| PubMed ID: 17897853	2007
Electronic characterization of lithographically patterned microcoils for high sensitivity NMR detection. Journal of magnetic resonance (San Diego, Calif. : 1997)\| PubMed ID: 19581116	2009
RF Heating of MRI-Assisted Catheter Steering Coils for Interventional MRI. Academic radiology\| PubMed ID: 21075019	2011
Portable microcoil NMR detection coupled to capillary electrophoresis. Analytical chemistry\| PubMed ID: 21235258	2011
Reimbursement model for pharmacist-directed medication therapy management. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association : JAPhA\| PubMed ID: 22370378	2012

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